A week into pregnancy...
It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Birds were chirping in a pleasant chorus and the sky was clear, save for a lone cloud that carried two pegasi on top. They were curled up together, napping on the soft surface and basking in the warm sunlight. One of them got up and tried nudging the other awake.
"Rainbow, I think it's time for us to go," Fluttershy pressed, shaking her wife's shoulder.
"We can spend a few more minutes," Rainbow Dash groaned.
Fluttershy laid down next to her. "I don't want to be late. Besides, I really shouldn't be up here anymore. One of the books recommends that pregnant pegasi get used to being grounded and not using their wings at all," she said in worry.
Rainbow Dash sat up a little and leaned towards Fluttershy. "Aww.. come on. That's for when your belly gets big! It seems like I'm going to have to use your weakness against you," she said and made a move.
Using her teeth to gently close down, she nibbled on her wife's right ear, causing her to giggle. Grinning, she kept nibbling on the ear while little fits of laughter escaped the muzzle of the pegasus. She chuckled and rolled Fluttershy over on her back. Using her hooves, she pinned her in place and leaned close.
"You know, I should have gotten revenge for that one day," Rainbow Dash warned.
"Wha-" Fluttershy tried to say.
Before the shy pegasus could finish, Rainbow Dash pressed her muzzle down and blew a raspberry on Fluttershy's soft tummy, causing her to squeal and laugh. She applied more pressure, tickling her even more. Fluttershy tried to escape but there was little hope for her. All she could was do was laugh and squirm. The cyan hooves that held her in place were too strong.
"Rainbow, stop! You win! Five more minutes, okay?" Fluttershy pleaded through fits of giggles.
"Yes!" Rainbow Dash said. She let go of Fluttershy and allowed her to get in a more comfortable position before cuddling up with her.
Fluttershy let out a little sigh of content. "I guess it wouldn't hurt if we snuggled for a little while longer," she said.
"Now, you're thinking right, Flutters. You just need to take it easy," Rainbow Dash said.
"This wouldn't have been possible without your support, Rainbow. I really appreciate what you've done for me. I feel so much stronger with you by my side," Fluttershy said, thanking her.
Rainbow Dash gripped Fluttershy in a tight hug. "Heh, you're welcome of course. I remember how shy and afraid you were when we first met," she replied.
"I remember those times but now I've gotten much better. I mean, I'm not such a weak flier anymore or afraid of the other ponies here in Ponyville. You taught me how to do a single flip in the air, helped me gain weight so I wasn't so scrawny, and you gave me something that nopony else would give me-love," Fluttershy said as she looked back on her own life.
"Hey, I guess I really did help you improve but you also helped me out too, Flutters. I probably wouldn't have been such a loyal pony if I never ran into you. You showed me kindness and I'll never forget it. You're worth everything in the world to me. If I never had gotten together with you, I don't know who else could've made me feel whole," Rainbow Dash explained while she rubbed Fluttershy's back.
Fluttershy stood up and grinned down at Rainbow Dash. Carefully, she place a hoof down on her chest and leaned close to her head. "You can be so sappy sometimes and I love it when you are," she said, looking down at the bold pegasus.
"How 'bout a kiss then?" Rainbow Dash suggested.
They both moved in closer to each other's face. Blushing a little, they closed their eyes before their lips touched. Hearts pumping with love, their muzzles interlocked and they were filled with a tingling sensation. This wasn't a feeling which they were new to. Ever since they had become marefriends, there had been plenty of kisses and snuggles along the way.
Pulling away, Rainbow Dash looked up to see Fluttershy smiling with her eyes open too. "Are you always this beautiful?" she asked, sounding cheesy as ever.
"I could ask you the same thing," Fluttershy replied, giggling at her wife.
Chuckling, Rainbow Dash said, "You're the best, Fluttershy!"
After another minute of cuddling, the couple finally decided to get ready for the 'dinner party' that was only about a half hour away now. Rainbow Dash took a quick, cold shower and hurried to get herself dressed in her gala outfit. Fluttershy couldn't stand taking cold showers but she had to hurry too. There was no time to wait for the water to get warm or to take a bath.
From what they were told, this was going to be a more like a special occasion rather than just a casual get-together. So, they decided to wear their wedding bands also. Both of their bands were very similar in style. They had yellow and cyan encrusted diamonds. On the inside was the other's cutie mark and a special message from the other.
Fluttershy came back from the shower, shivering a little from the uncomfortable, cold water. With the help of Rainbow Dash, she got her dress on in only few seconds. They took a quick minute to style each other's manes and to put on a light cover of makeup. Before leaving, they slipped their wedding bands on the right hoof.
Arriving on time, Fluttershy let out a little sigh of relief when they met Rarity arriving at the same time. Their other friends were inside, waiting for them. As they walked in together with their bands on, all attention was focused on them. Everypony else was also wearing their gala outfits.
"Hey, you guys! I'm so glad that you made it!" Pinkie Pie exclaimed, coming forth from the kitchen.
Rarity joined the others who seemed eager. "So, I heard that you have news," she said, trying to contain her excitement for the couple.
"We sure do!" Rainbow Dash said and took a quick glance at all her friends. "Fluttershy is pregnant!" she announced.
A large gasp escaped Rarity's mouth. Their friends turned their heads towards each other to share a quick few words about this new development. Surprisingly, Pinke Pie was more quiet than the others. It was mostly because she had known the news a week ago. Though, it was really only Rarity who didn't know the news before the party.
"This is unbelievable! I'm so happy that you two decided to make this step!" Rarity commented. "I can't wait to see what handsome colt or beautiful filly you'll have!"
"Yeah!" Pinkie Pie agreed. "Do you know if it's going to be a colt or a filly?" she asked, standing by the counter with Twilight.
Fluttershy leaned against Rainbow Dash, slightly embarrassed by the attention that they were getting. "I don't know. It's too early for us to find out. This book said we have to get something called an 'ultrasound' when the foal develops," she explained.
"Oh, you don't have to go through all that trouble. I can tell you right now it's going to be a filly no matter what," Twilight said in her as-matter-of-fact tone.
"How do you know already?" Rainbow Dash asked, raising a curious eyebrow.
"Well, if you ever took a Biology class in flight school or whatever, you should know that ponies have two chromosomes which determine gender. Namely, there's an 'X' and an 'Y' chromosome," she explained.
Rainbow Dash interrupted her by saying, "Yeah, I'm not dumb, Twilight. I remember all of that. I still don't get how this makes you know it's a filly."
"How do you not understand then? Mares have two 'X' chromosomes. It couldn't be a colt if there's no chance of an 'Y' being passed down," Twilight said, getting slightly frustrated.
Fluttershy nudged her wife. "I get what she's saying, Rainbow."
"Yeah, now I do," Rainbow Dash said with a facehoof.
The couple joined their friends over by the counter to get closer to have a conversation. Their friends seemed eager to ask questions about the pregnancy and their future. However, Rainbow Dash couldn't help but notice that Applejack seemed to be trying to avoid looking at Rarity when she talked.
"So, Twilight explained to us a few days earlier about how you two combined.. your DNA somehow with her magic. How did that even work?" Rarity asked.
"It was a replication of some experiment which some very smart unicorn scientists had discovered in Canterlot. I would try to explain all the details but that would be too complicated for you guys," Twilight explained.
Rainbow Dash yawned and rudely changed the subject. "Yep. So, I heard that Applejack made the dinner that we're going to have tonight," she said, earning an unhappy look from Twilight.
"That's right. Ah darn hope that it will be good too. Ah spent a lot of time preparing it," Applejack said, standing near on the left of Rainbow Dash.
"Ooh! That's reminds me, the food should be done soon!" Pinkie Pie said.
Applejack tapped Rainbow Dash on the shoulder. "Say, could ya come in the kitchen with me for a quick moment and help with something?" she asked.
Rainbow Dash shrugged. "Sure," she said and left the circle with Applejack.
They walked past the double doors which led to the kitchen. Inside was all the food that Applejack and Pinkie Pie were preparing for dinner. It seemed unlikely that she needed her help with the food. Rainbow Dash got the feeling that Applejack had something on her mind because she seemed a little nervous and uneasy.
"Is everything alright, AJ? Why do I get this feeling that you didn't really need my help with anything?" Rainbow Dash asked, feeling concerned for her friend.
Applejack shushed her. "Ah do need yer help. It's about Rarity," she whispered.
"Rarity? What about her?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Shh.. ah don't want her to hear us," Applejack hissed.
Rainbow Dash scratched the back of her head. "Well, what about her?" she asked.
"She said that she liked me," Applejack said and took an uneasy breath.
"I don't get it. What's the big deal then? All she said was that-" Rainbow said and stopped herself. "Oh.. you mean as in like-like?"
Applejack lowered her head. "Yes," she simply replied.
"What's wrong then? Do you not like her back or something?"
"Ah just don't understand why," Applejack admitted.
Confused, Rainbow Dash asked, "What don't you understand?"
"Ah don't get why she likes me! We're almost the complete opposite! Ah don't understand how a stunning unicorn like that would want an earth pony such as myself. Ahm not even good enough for a pony like that," Applejack said in a sad tone, lowering her head down.
Rainbow Dash pulled her head up. "Seriously, don't put yourself down like that. I'm sure that Rarity had her reasons why she liked you," she said.
Applejack shook her head. "Maybe but no, even if she did like me, ahm not even sure we can get along. There's so little that we have in common," she complained.
"Fluttershy and I didn't have much in common either at first. Yet, we still managed to get along. Want to know why? Because we hung out and spent a lot of time with each other. We tried different things out and talked to each other. Every day, we laid in the clouds or in the grass and just talked about anything. Eventually, we found a lot of similar interests. All we did was spent time with each other and it worked out," Rainbow Dash explained.
"Are ya really serious? That's how it worked out?" Applejack asked with surprised eyes.
Rainbow Dash patted her on the back. "Yeah, but there was a little more to it than that. We liked each other's personalities. It wasn't just that we found each other attractive," she said. "So, this kinda brings up two questions: do you even like her personality and do you find her attractive?"
"Yes, ah really do like her personality and for the record-she's one of the most beautiful unicorns in Equestria. Do you really think this is worth a shot? Our friendship would be ruined if it doesn't work out," Applejack replied.
"Trust me," Rainbow Dash said. "If you take it slow with her like we did and spent a lot time together, it'll work out for sure for you two," she explained.
Applejack moved close and gave her a quick hug. "Thank ya so much, Rainbow!" she said.
"No problem. Uh.. you promise not to tell anypony that I was sappy like this?" Rainbow Dash requested, returning the hug.
"Ah promise that ah won't tell a single pony. Now, maybe you can help me with something else," she said and glanced at all the food.
Meanwhile, Fluttershy was busy chatting with Rarity, Twilight, and Pinkie Pie. Nopony seemed to notice that Rainbow Dash and Applejack haven't come back. They were sitting at the dinner table, waiting patiently for the food to be done. Fluttershy made sure that there was an empty next to her for Rainbow Dash. For reasons unknown to anypony sitting at the table, Rarity had done the same thing.
"How are things going so far, Fluttershy?" Twilight asked.
"Everything has been good, Twilight," Fluttershy replied with a warm smile.
Rarity brushed her mane with a hoof. "Is everything going alright with Rainbow Dash? We haven't really asked you how things were with her since before she moved in with you," she said and took a sip of punch.
"Oh, it's just wonderful! I was so glad when she moved in. At first, she was really sad that she had to find a way to get rid of her cloud house," Fluttershy explained.
"But, it's still there," Twilight argued.
"Sorry, I didn't get to finish," Fluttershy apologized even though the blame was not on her. "I was going to also say that in the end, she just designated it to be her 'weather management office' so she didn't have to get rid of it."
A loud rumble came from Pinkie Pie's stomach and interrupted them. They all turned their attention to the pink pony who was obviously very hungry. She looked anxious there, sitting in her seat and waiting. Everypony else was starting to lose their patience.
"Ooh, my tummy is making noises! You know what that means, Twilight?" Pinkie Pie asked with an incredulous look on her face.
"You're hungry?" Twilight suggested in a dry tone.
"No, the food is ready!" Pinkie Pie said and dashed into the kitchen.
Fluttershy giggled. "Isn't she so silly sometimes! I'm glad the food is done. I was getting hungry," she said, fixing her mane up.
"I agree. I'm also quite hungry too," Rarity said.
Several minutes passed before Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie eventually came back from the kitchen, carrying plates of steaming food. They returned into the kitchen and brought back empty plates for each pony. When they finished setting the table, Applejack whispered something into Rarity's ear that caused a slight change of expression on her face. They left the table and walked into the kitchen together.
Fluttershy couldn't figure out why they had left or why Rainbow Dash didn't seem to notice.
"Wow," Twilight said. "You weren't kidding when you said we were going to have a feast!"
On the table lay several large plates in the middle stacked with food. There was spaghetti, apple pie, macaroni noodles, salad, wheatballs, and much more to eat. With the help of Twilight's magic, Everypony was able to get a little serving of everything and start eating right away.
Rainbow Dash happily dug in, getting tomato sauce on her muzzle. Even Fluttershy couldn't fully contain herself. The food tasted great and they all had been very hungry. Applejack and Rarity returned, walking next to each other with a small smile on their face. They sat down next to each other across from Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy.
"This is great food! You really did a good job, Applejack," Rainbow Dash commented.
"Thank ya kindly, Rainbow! Ahm glad that it turned out so good," Applejack replied.
Rarity stood up and looked around at her friends. "Everypony, I believe that Applejack and I have our own little announcement to make," she said and nudged the cowpony.
"Oh right!" Applejack said and stood with Rarity. All around the table, everypony had stopped eating and was looking at them.
"We are officially in a relationship," she announced and shared a quick look with Applejack.
"Oh my goodness!" Fluttershy said, smiling at them. "That's great news!"
Twilight laughed a little. "Wow, that was a little unexpected! I guess I should of seen this coming. After all, you two always seemed to be close together since that one sleepover.." she said.
"Yes, I suppose we have," Rarity said and sat down again with Applejack.
"Hey, maybe you two will have foals sometime in the future!" Pinkie Pie joked.
Everypony shared a laugh together. Rainbow Dash reached over and rested her hoof on Fluttershy's shoulder. She received a little kiss on the cheek in return. The couple smiled with their friends at the new pair of marefriends. They all were very happy for Rarity and Applejack.
By now, everypony was finished eating. Twilight and Pinkie Pie set out to clear off the table and move all the dishes into the kitchen. Applejack and Rarity left to sit in the main room for a peaceful moment to themselves. It was only Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy that remained at the large dinning table. Fluttershy leaned her head against Rainbow Dash's shoulder.
"Feeling a little sleepy there?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"Just a little," Fluttershy replied and nuzzled her cheek.
Rainbow Dash chuckled. "Don't worry. We'll go home early if you want to," she reassured her.
"I'll be good for a little while longer," Fluttershy said, letting out a cute yawn.
"Are you sure? You seem pretty tired there, Flutters," Rainbow Dash said in concern for her wife. It was clear to her that she was almost struggling to stay awake.
"Yes, I'd like to stay and chat for just a little while longer," Fluttershy requested.
Twilight returned from the kitchen and sat down with them. "Do you guys find it a little odd that Rarity and Applejack fell in love? I never knew that they also were.. well, that they liked mares too," She whispered in an uneasy voice.
"Well, I never thought that Applejack did either but Rarity mentioned once that she went both ways. Why does it bother you anyway? It shouldn't be that big of a deal," Rainbow Dash said in a low tone.
"It just seemed a little sudden," Twilight replied.
"Why does it matter? They both like each other. We should just be happy for them, Twilight," Fluttershy said
"Sorry, I should be happy for them. It's just a little weird how they fell for each other," Twilight said. "You know what they say? Opposites attract, I guess."
Fluttershy giggled. "I know that's true," she said, sharing a lovey-dovey look with Rainbow Dash.
"I suppose so! However, weren't you two really close before you moved into Ponyville? I distinctly remember having a conversation similar to this months ago," Twilight said.
Rainbow Dash nodded. "Yeah, we were pretty close back then. Fluttershy and I were good pals since our fillyhood," she answered.
"But, we got separated at some point, remember?" Fluttershy reminded her.
"Right. Well, after we moved on from basic flight school, we have to move in dorms for the last level of school for pegasi. I ended up sharing a room with Gilda instead of Fluttershy. We never really talked much until our senior year. That was when we got back together as friends," Rainbow said, explaining their story.
Twlight smiled. "That's sweet," she commented.
Pinkie Pie returned, holding a large metal tray with a cake on it. She skipped to the table, somehow not ruining the cake in the process and set it down in the middle. It was covered with a white frosting that was most likely vanilla flavored. In red dye was the message, Congrats Fluttershy! on top of the cake.
"Hey, where's Applejack and Rarity? We're supposed to have dessert now!" Pinkie Pie complained. "Rarity! Applejack! Stop kissing over there and have some cake with us!" she called out.
Rarity emerged from the other with Applejack. "Fine, but I'm going to bed after. A lady does need her beauty sleep," she said.
"Yeah, same here guys," Rainbow Dash said and let out a loud yawn.
Rarity and Applejack sat down and waited with everypony else for Pinkie Pie to cut the cake into slices. She cut across it several times until there were eight equal slices. Using a cake spatula, she moved a slice on a plate for each pony sitting at the table and gave herself an extra slice.
"I made sure to use vanilla icing, Fluttershy. I know how much you love vanilla," Pinkie Pie said, batting her eyes in a silly manner.
"I do love vanilla!" Fluttershy said and took a considerably large bite.
Rainbow Dash chuckled. "Easy there. You're starting to eat like me!" she said.
Everyone else giggled as Fluttershy got icing on her muzzle and face. What made it even more funny was that she didn't seem to care or notice. When she finished, Rainbow Dash grabbed a napkin and wiped her face and muzzle for her.
"Jeez, Fluttershy. You were like a hungry timber wolf there," Rainbow Dash said.
"Sorry, I don't know what's with me," Fluttershy apologized.
Rainbow Dash yawned and looked down at her empty plate. "I think I'm done. Sorry, Pinkie, but I just can't stay awake any longer," she said and got up.
"You're right. I think it's time that we all went to bed," Twilight said, slowly getting up.
"C'mon, Fluttershy. Let's say goodbye to everypony so we can go home," Rainbow Dash said.
Fluttershy got up and stretched her weary limbs out. She let out a little yawn, flaring her wings. Rainbow Dash extended her own wing out and draped it over her. The couple said their goodbyes and were grabbed by Pinkie Pie. The party pony extended her hooves out and squeezed them in a tight hug before letting them leave. They walked through the chilly night and shivered a little when a cool breeze came.
They came back home and dragged themselves into bed. Before they passed out in each other's hooves like usual, both pegasi took a second to think about their future. Fluttershy was going to have to be strong and Rainbow Dash was going to have to overcome her own doubts about herself. As they drifted into sleep, more dreams of their unborn foal filled their heads.